New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-05
FILL TEXT OF THE MESSAGE.
STATE OF NEW YORK:
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER.
MnANY January 4. 1857.


The Constitution of our State requires that the
Covernor shall communicate by message to the
gsature at very session the condition OF the state
and recommend such matters TO them as he shall judge
expedient" This duty 1 proceed to discharge 'his
wear in the briefest manner possible having IN pre-
yous annual messages very fully and at considerable
length EXPRESSED my views upon the yarons questions
affecting the State l may, however, take occasion
durng the session communicate with you by special
message frequently than has heretofore been the
custom upon such matters may arise from time to
time or upon subjects in relation to which some
suggestions may hereafter be deemed especially
desirable and expedient.
RENEWAL OF PREVIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS.
Before referring particularly the condition OF the
State or making any new suggestions, may be per-
mted to call your attention to those made by me IN
previous annual messages upon which no mai legs-
lation has yet been perfected. Some of these we're
embodied in bills which pas sed house, but failed
In the other others have been largely discussed but
no effective action taken thereon while few have not
been consde ed at all. 1t is not deemed inappropriate
at this time to respectfully renew such recommenda-
lions tsome sixteen in number and invoke tor them
nc an your careful consideration. They follows:
First A permanent system for the employment OF
p-son labor. This recommendation is not, however,
intended to include favor the reinstatement OF the
contract system any other plan that equivalent
10 it, The Legislation of 1883 permitted the people
10 vote upon the question OF the abolition OF the
contract system and they having by large majority
expressed themselves opposed to its continuance
it becomes our duty to respect their verdict Some
pther system must be devised which should be sub
,tantally free from the objections which were urged
70 the contract system My views as to the general
features which should characterize whatever plan may
be proposed are so we'll known, and have been so
frequently expressed 20 the Legislature. that any
further suggestions upon this subject at this time seem
unnecessary.
Second. measure providing for spring municipal
elections in the city Of New-YoFk. Such measure
should be simple and distinctive. and should not be
complicated with any other schemes. II SHOULD be
essentially spring election law, and nothing more.
1t should pro tide for municipal elections In two
years, rather than annually. thereby avoiding the
expense AMI the loss OF public interest incident upon
too frequent elections; it should not interfere with
the terms of Office OF present ncumbents it should 6s
date for such elections that will accommodate the
great majority of the people, and facilitate rather than
retard their free exercise OF the elective franchise
Third An amendment TO the election laws of the
State so as TO permit naturalized citizens To be
registered without the production OF their natrraza
ton papers, in OF the loss destruction OF such
papers and making their oath or affidavit conclusive
evidence OF citizenship TOR the purposes OF registration
Il nv annual message OF 1855 to which the Legislature
rs respectfully referred. The propriety of placing
naturalized citizens upon equality with the native
born in the matter of afording equal facilities for
honest registration and honest voting cannot serious
ly questioned by unpreudiced men. 1t is submitted
that Justice in this respect should not longer be
delayed
Fourth. general law the Incorporation of
trust companies. Last year five special acts we're
passed for the incorporation o. mary different u ust
companies from which felt compelled TO withhold
my approval. Each conferred different powers and
imposed different restrictions and established
different liability for the respective companies, and
such acts constituted special legislation OF the most
Objectionable character. such companies should be
organized under general laws which should authorize
inc assumption Of uniform powers and liabilities by
,ach company, and it should be provided that the
administration of the affairs OF all trust companies
should be subjected alike to the supervision, regula
ton aud inspection Of the superintendent If the
Banking Department. The system Of genera! sla-
bon contemplated by the Constitution will never be
perfected 50 long the Legislature each year
favorably listens the desire and claims OF interested
parties for special acts.
Fifth. An amendment to the General Assignment
Act for the purpose preventing unjust favoritism,
nniar determinations and inequitabie distribution
OF the debtors property These evils be cured in
at least, by limiting the preferences which
adebtor has tine right mako certain portion OF
the assigned estate fOrbidding them altogether
Except in the single instance of wages OF employees.
The preferences (other than the exception menonedl
which by the policy of the law allowed to be
aade a fruitful Of litigation and the
occasion Of much injustice. The power being subject
10 great abuse it should eth er be properly restricted
VI entirely abrogated
Sixth An act providing for the selection of a
special counsel for the legislature whose duties shall
be 10 prepare in legal torn all bills to be introduced
by any manber to give advice to members and TO the
various committees in reference TO proposed legsla-
hon, 10 pect the bills before their Anal passage in
order to detect errors mperfectons and mistakes to
suggest and frame the necessary amendments, and
generally the legal adviser OF the Legislature
~ matters OF torn. Much valusble Legislation is
lost every year by OF detective bills hastily
drawn and cradely prepared, and which roight have
been saved with the aid and assistance OF such
counsel.
Seventh. revision OF the tax laws OF the State,
whereby real and personal property shall be placed
spon an equal footing tor ell purposes OF taxation.
This subject was elsborateiy presented IN the last
annual message, and the Arguments there urged need
not be repeated here. The duty of the Legislature In
the premises seems plain and unrnstak able.
Eighth. A measure providing for plain enumera-
ton of the inhabitants OF the State. This Is clearly
demanded by the Constitution. 1t be refused
without violation OF the Constitution. The rovsions
Of that instrument requiring simple enumeration of
the inhabitants every ten years. upon which to baee
% apportsonment, are as obligatory and ~ essential
Of fulflment those which direct that q
Constitutional Convention be held. One require
ment can be refused a. well M the other The
fuldlment Of both IL alike demanded by every
confederation OF honor good faith. The Cvnstd:
non docs not exact An enumeration, and
Wat alone, oil that II directs. The word census
snnot be found in the Constitution The failure of
Previous Legislatures TO direct plain enumeration
nc nothing else cannot be justified. 1t admits OF no
2olosy Or excuse. The constitutional duty Is not
'iicfmed By exacting something which the people do
- want. 10 wit q census collection OF elaborate
~ss'stos Of no practical salus-and which the